Marshall Browning board honors retiring board member Kathy West

Marshall Browning Hospital's board of directors recently honored Kathy West for 31 years of dedicated service on the hospital board.

The board of directors presented her with a gift at the hospital's annual meeting held on Sept. 28.

"Kathy was very dedicated to Marshall Browning Hospital," said Board President Richard Haines. "She always had the best interests of the patients at heart and she was very supportive of any decision that would bring new services into the hospital or improve the quality of care to patients."

West's lifelong career included serving as a teacher at Du Quoin High School. Her service to Marshall Browning Hospital began when she joined the board of directors in 1989.

During her tenure on the board, she provided valuable guidance, enhanced by her deep connections with the community. Along with other dedicated board members, she oversaw the purchase of state-of-the-art medical equipment and supported the planning and construction of a number of building projects, including: Marshall Browning Estates, the hospital's 22-unit independent living community; a stand-alone Rehabilitation facility; a 9,750-square-foot outpatient treatment addition; implementation of 24/7 physician coverage in the Emergency Room; licensure as a Critical Access Hospital; a 22,000-square foot expansion that included 25 private patient rooms, laboratory, pharmacy and surgery departments; a new helipad; a new medical office building; demolition of the original hospital; implementation of a hospitalist program, completion of new hospital chapel; an affiliation agreement with SIH; purchase of a new electronic health record system; establishment of an Urgent Care Clinic; and purchase of Dr. Craig Furry's practice and building (now Family Health Center).

West has seen the medical community in Perry County change drastically during her service on the hospital board of directors.

She most recently served as the vice-president of the board of directors as well as serving on a number of board committees throughout her tenure.

For more information, visit www.marshallbrowninghospital.com.